Five Climate Zones
Nepal spans elevations from 60m to 8,849m, creating tropical, subtropical, temperate, alpine and arctic climate zones — often within a single trek.
Seasonal Overview
- Spring (Mar–May): Warm days, cool nights, blooming rhododendrons. Best mountain visibility.
- Summer/Monsoon (Jun–Aug): Heavy rainfall in most regions; rain-shadow areas like Upper Mustang stay dry.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Clearest skies of the year, stable weather, the most popular trekking season.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold at altitude with possible snow on high passes; lower-elevation treks remain pleasant.
Temperature by Altitude
Expect roughly a 6°C drop for every 1,000m gained. Kathmandu at 1,400m may be a mild 20°C while Everest Base Camp at 5,364m can drop below freezing overnight even in peak season.